Magnesium and zoloft (Is it a good combination?)

In this blog, we will talk about magnesium and zoloft. We will discuss if there is any interaction found between these two. We will also discuss if it is safe to use magnesium supplements while taking zoloft and what role can magnesium play to keep your psychological symptoms at bay.

Magnesium Vs Zoloft: Is there any interaction?

There is no known interaction between magnesium and zoloft. Although, one study suggests the pharmacodynamic interaction between magnesium and zoloft as 150mg/day sertraline showed to increase the concentration of magnesium in red blood cells.

Just because there is no known harmful interaction, it doesn’t mean it’s non-existent. Always talk to your healthcare provider before using magnesium supplements while taking zoloft.

Magnesium and depression: what does research say?

Studies suggest that magnesium can actually help you with your depression. One study included two groups, with around 30 people battling with depression in each group. Group 1 was given magnesium while group 2 received placebo. 

At the end of the study, it was concluded that group 1, which was receiving magnesium, showed better recovery from depression symptoms as compared to group 2. 

Another study also concluded that magnesium could be a valuable addition in the treatment plan for depression. A 2015 study found a relationship between magnesium deficiency and depression. 

It’s best to consult your healthcare provider before making such decisions on your own. 

How does magnesium help you? 

Magnesium is an important mineral that helps regulate a lot of physiological conditions. It has a huge impact on your mood, depression and anxiety. Studies have linked magnesium deficiency with mood disorders. 

Magnesium have an impact on a lot of physiological functions:

• It is essential for your bone health, as it plays an important role in bone development. The use of magnesium is also linked to preventing the occurrence of osteoporosis in women. 

• It plays a huge role in maintaining your cardiac health as well. In fact, several studies revealed that people with magnesium deficiency are more likely to suffer from coronary artery diseases. It can also help counteract the effects of arrhythmia. 

• High magnesium concentration is also linked with low chances of getting type 2 diabetes mellitus, as it helps regulate the functions of insulin. 

• Magnesium can also help relieve the symptoms of migraine. A 2017 research article concluded that 600mg magnesium dicitrate can be used as an effective treatment to fight against nerve-racking migraines. 

What are the common dietary sources of magnesium? 

There are plenty of natural sources of magnesium that you can incorporate in your diet. These include:

• Almonds
• Bananas
• Cashews
• Dark chocolate 
• Spinach
• Avocado
• Pumpkin seeds
• Black beans
• Legumes
• Peanuts and peanut butter
• Yoghurt
• Oatmeal and many more

Mother nature has a whole lot of sources for every single nutrient rich element. Make sure you incorporate these in your daily diet and help replenish magnesium reserves in your body. 

Is too much magnesium harmful? 

It is okay to consume high amounts of magnesium from natural sources. However, supplements can cause complications. They might cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation etc. 

Make sure you stick to the prescribed dose of magnesium and do not deviate from it. 

When to call your doctor 

Call your doctor before you start to take magnesium supplements. Its okay to incorporate magnesium rich foods in your diet but if you’re on zoloft, it’s best to discuss with your healthcare provider before taking supplements. 

Foods and drugs not to be used with zoloft:

Foods which should be avoided with the use of zoloft include:

Tyramine rich foods

Tyramine is an amino acid. The combination of zoloft with tyramine rich foods, like cheese, milk, chicken liver, beef, avocados, bananas, canned figs, soy beans etc, can cause sudden and dangerous increase in your blood pressure.

Tryptophan rich foods

Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin synthesis in your body. Your antidepressant is already inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and is causing more serotonin to stay in your body to produce its effects. 

If you eat tryptophan rich foods in excess, it could result in serotonin syndrome, a condition associated with symptoms like:

• Excessive sweating 
• Restlessness and fatigue
• Headache, which often feels like your head is pounding
• Changes in blood pressure and/or temperature
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Bradycardia
• Tremors
• Muscle twitching and muscle pain
• Shivering and goosebumps

Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice increases the level of zoloft in your body by inhibiting its metabolism. Be aware of using these two together. You might find more pronounced effects of zoloft, including adverse effects, as it will not convert into its inactive metabolite.

Cannabis

Do not use cannabis while you’re on zoloft. It will cause symptoms like confusion, panic attacks, seizures, anxiety, nervousness etc.

Alcohol

Concomitant use of zoloft and alcohol may cause much more pronounced symptoms of depression and anxiety

Too much caffeine 

It is safe to drink coffee while you’re on zoloft but make sure you don’t drink too much of it. Coffee and zoloft both share some side effects. Concomitant use of zoloft and high amounts of caffeine can cause much pronounced and dangerous side effects. 

Green tea

Same goes for green tea. It’s okay to drink it while you’re on zoloft but if you drink too much, you can suffer from side effects like prolonged bleeding time. 

Drugs which should not be used with zoloft include:

Monoaminoxidase inhibitors 

Do not use zoloft with any irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Concomitant treatment is highly contraindicated due to the risk of serotonin syndrome with symptoms like agitation, tremor and hyperthermia. 

Zoloft must not be initiated for at least 14 days after discontinuation of treatment with an irreversible MAOI. Zoloft must be discontinued for at least 7 days before starting treatment with an irreversible MAOI.

Pimozide

Do not use zoloft with pimozide. Combining these medications can increase the plasma concentration(availability of a drug in the blood) of pimozide to much higher levels. It can result in life-threatening arrhythmia.

Blood thinners 

Zoloft, if used concomitantly with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), aspirin, anticoagulants like warfarin etc, can cause prolonged bleeding

Read this before taking zoloft:

• It is extremely important to make sure that you take your medications as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not change the timing or dose without your doctor’s approval. 
• The medication comes with a guide, a leaflet. Follow instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any query.
• It is also mandatory to tell your healthcare provider your medical history or any pre-existing health condition, especially if you suffer from bipolar disorder, kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma etc. 
• Always tell your doctor your medication history. Discuss all the medicines you use, even over-the-counter meds before you start using zoloft. 
• Zoloft can cause QT prolongation so discuss it with your cardiologist if you have a heart condition. 
• Do not suggest medications, unless you are a healthcare professional yourself. Do not share medications. You might think your conditions match but oftentimes they don’t. It’s actually pretty dangerous.
• If you fail to understand how to use the drug properly or have any other question, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• In case of overdose, immediately reach out to the hospital. Make sure you properly guide them about how much drug you have taken and when. 
• If you experience unusual side effects, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
• The liquid form of zoloft usually contains alcohol. Consult your healthcare provider if you have diabetes, alcoholism, or some liver disease. 
• Elderly people and children are more susceptible to side effects
• Using zoloft in the third trimester can cause rare side effects in babies like breathing difficulties, seizures etc. 
• It can also pass into the breastmilk. Consult your doctor if you are a nursing mother. 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we talked about magnesium and zoloft. We discussed possible interactions and learned that it is safe to use magnesium and zoloft together. 

It’s still recommended to discuss with your healthcare provider first, before start taking magnesium supplements on your own. We also discussed several research studies which concluded the relationship between magnesium and depression. 

People with magnesium deficiency are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms or anxiousness. Studies also revealed how magnesium supplements help recover patients from depression.

FAQs: Magnesium and zoloft

Can I take magnesium while taking Zoloft?

Yes, you can take magnesium and zoloft together as there is no evidence of any harmful interaction between these two. In fact, magnesium is considered helpful for people in depression 

Do antidepressants affect magnesium?

Antidepressants seem to be helpful for people with depression and magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency, in fact, can cause your serotonin levels to go down and acts as a trigger of depression. 

What supplements should not be taken with sertraline?

Foods or supplements rich in tryptophan should not be used with sertraline. Tryptophan is an amino acid. 

The combination of zoloft with tryptophan rich foods, like cheese, milk, chicken liver, beef, avocados, bananas, canned figs, soy beans can dangerously increase the amount of serotonin. 

This could result in serotonin syndrome, a condition associated with symptoms like:

• Excessive sweating 
• Restlessness and fatigue
• Headache, which often feels like your head is pounding
• Changes in blood pressure and/or temperature
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Bradycardia
• Tremors
• Muscle twitching and muscle pain
• Shivering and goosebumps

Can taking magnesium cause anxiety?

No, it can’t. On the contrary, magnesium deficiency is one of the major reasons behind depression and anxiety in adults. Make sure you have sufficient magnesium in your body, as it regulates a hell lot of our physiological functions. 

What does low levels of magnesium cause?

• Headache 
• Anxiety 
• Depression
• Loss of appetite 
• Muscle aches
• Discomfort during pregnancy and breastfeeding 
• Poor bone health
• Poor heart health
• Fatigue or low energy levels
• Insomnia or sleep disturbance

Who is most at risk for magnesium deficiency?

• Geriatric population 
• Paediatric population 
• People with severe diarrhoea 
• People who have low dietary magnesium intake
• People with type 2 diabetes 
• People with severe depression and anxiety 
• Certain prescription medicines
• Too much sugar intake, like in people addicted to colas and other carbonated high-sugar beverages. 

References 

• Mihai Nechifor. Magnes Res. (2008) – Interactions between magnesium and psychotropic drugs https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18705537/
• National Institute of health – Magnesium fact sheet https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Magnesium%20is%20a%20cofactor%20in,%2C%20oxidative%20phosphorylation%2C%20and%20glycolysis.
• Emily K. Tarleton and Benjamin Littenberg – Magnesium Intake and Depression in Adults https://www.jabfm.org/content/28/2/249
• Emily K. Tarleton, Amanda G. Kennedy, Gail L. Rose, Abigail Crocker and Benjamin Littenberg – The Association between Serum Magnesium Levels and Depression in an Adult Primary Care Population https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/7/1475
• Emily K. Tarleton, Benjamin Littenberg, and Christopher Daley – Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5487054/
• George A Eby et al. Med Hypotheses. (2006) – Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16542786/